Residents start video campaign to keep Target

Published 10:14 am Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Want to convince Target to keep its Austin, Minnesota, store open? Try a viral video campaign.

That’s what a group of people trying to persuade the Minnesota company is doing this week. Several people have already posted videos asking Target to keep its store in the area open.

Target announced last month the Austin location was one of 11 stores that will close Feb. 1, 2015.

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Though a committee of volunteers have tried to secure meetings with Target representatives, company officials have stood firm on the store closing thus far.

That’s why residents are encouraging each other to let Target know its presence is welcome in the community.

“We’re trying to get their attention to understand that we really are serious and want them to acknowledge that we really are being serious,” said Danielle Nesvold.

Target officials still say the Austin location’s closing is final, however.

Volunteers know they have an uphill struggle, but Nesvold said the group will roll out several campaigns to get Target’s attention and promote the Target brand in the area.

“My gosh, we’re giving them almost free, positive, hopeful PR,” she said.

Nesvold and other volunteers encourage residents to make their own positive videos asking Target to stay in the community. Volunteers want residents to post videos to the “Save the Austin, MN Target from closing” Facebook page, where they will be forwarded onto Target’s Facebook page.

The other awareness campaigns will be rolled out over the next few weeks, according to Nesvold.